Please Note: There is a distinction between earning your degree and walking in the Commencement Ceremony.
Bachelor's Candidates
Dear Potential Graduating Student,
You must file an Application to Graduate to request a final audit on your record and provide information for your diploma. Filing this application is the first step to receiving your degree. The link to the online graduation application is found in the menu on your Student Profile, accessed via Banner Self-Service.
Graduation Application deadlines occur throughout the year. Please refer to the Graduation Application Dates & Deadlines accordion below for this important information. As you complete your Graduation Application, please thoroughly review your DegreeWorks record (via myPlymouth, Tools, Student Services) to ensure that you have:
- all of your required courses
- all of the required credits – most bachelor’s degrees need 120
- at least a 2.00 cumulative GPA
Certificates are available for view– use the Degree drop down in DegreeWorks to change to CERT.
As soon as you know when you will be finished with all of your degree requirements, file a graduation application for your completion date. Upon receipt of the application, the auditors in the registrar’s office will review your records and let you know where you stand regarding graduation. It is imperative that you read and follow the direction in this email. You may need assistance from your advisor to complete any outstanding steps.
If you would like to talk through with someone prior to filing your application, please schedule an appointment with Beth Wichland in the Academic and Career Advising Center, Speare 108, for a Degree Review to make sure you will have all your requirements complete to graduate.
If you have questions or need assistance, please contact us at psu-degreeinfo@plymouth.edu.
Thank you,
Registrar’s Office Auditing Team
Enrolled students at Plymouth State University have access, through myPlymouth, to a computerized assessment of their progress toward completion of degree requirements. Degree Works pairs the courses a student has taken (or officially transferred) to the general education requirements and the specific requirements of their major. In-progress coursework is noted as such. Degree Works also notes the area of study, credits earned, and grade point average as well as all courses taken or transferred to Plymouth.
Degree Works is an important tool for students as they begin to plan their academic schedule. When students process an audit, they also have the option of choosing different majors and options for assessment against the courses they have taken. This feature is known as the “What-If” Analysis. It provides an opportunity to see the influence that any potential change(s) may have on a projected completion date.
(Requires PSU Username/Password)
Need help with Degree Works? Contact your academic advisor, the Academic and Career Advising Center, or the Registrar's Office.
Degrees and certificates are awarded and the student receives a diploma or certificate only after the Registrar’s office has certified successful completion of all degree and institutional requirements.
Plymouth State University graduates students and prints diplomas/certificates five times per year— January, May, June, August and December. After all degree and institutional requirements have been satisfied, degrees/certificates will be awarded at the next available date. Conferral dates coincide with the last date of the term except June, which will be June 30th.
Students who are eligible for spring degree conferral should apply to graduate by the first Friday in December. If you will not have ALL of your degree requirements completed by the end of the spring semester, do not apply for May. The next available date is June.
Students who are completing a certificate will have both programs audited for the same completion date.
The link to the online graduation application is found in the menu on your Student Profile, accessed via Banner Self-Service.
Graduation Applications due dates:
- December 2024 Degree Conferral Date – apply no later than September 30, 2024
- January 2025 Degree Conferral Date – apply no later than October 31, 2024
- May 2025 Degree Conferral Date – apply no later than December 1, 2024
- June 2025 Degree Conferral Date – apply no later than March 31, 2025
- August 2025 Degree Conferral Date – apply no later than May 31, 2025
Previous degree audits for readmitted students are no longer valid; a new audit will be conducted when a student files a new Graduation Application. The official degree audit of a student who does not graduate expires when that student’s catalog expired. The academic student advocate and policy support, the registrar, and the chair of the major department will consider appeals for an exception to this policy.
Graduation Requirements
All students are responsible for meeting the academic standards established for the course of study in which they are enrolled. These standards are the only basis for evaluating students’ academic performance. Students are responsible for completing all work required for graduation and scheduling all necessary courses.
Students have the personal responsibility for making sure that, by graduation time, they meet the General Education, major field, grade point average (cumulative, major/minor), and total credit hour requirements defined by the University and their major.
Major, Minor and Certificate Grade Point Averages
All students must earn a minimum grade point average of 2.00 in their major by the time of graduation. Some programs stipulate a higher major grade point average that must be earned in the main academic discipline of the major program. A student’s major grade point average will be based on all specific courses listed as required (except EN 1200 and EN 1400), any other courses elected beyond the required minimum number from an identified group, plus any others in the central discipline which are elected.
Some majors also require a minimum discipline grade point average.
Students must earn at least a 2.00 grade point average in their minor. One exception is the Pre-Law minor, which requires a 3.00 grade point average.
Students must earn at least a 2.00 grade point average in their certificate.
Degree Completion
To complete degree requirements at Plymouth State University, students need to do the following:
- complete all General Education requirements
- complete the foreign language proficiency if seeking a BA degree
- complete all degree requirements of their major
- complete the number of credits required in their chosen degree program (minimum of 120 semester credits)
- complete at least 30 credits of coursework at Plymouth State University
- earn an overall cumulative grade point average of 2.00 or higher in all coursework
- earn the grade point average required in the major (minimum of 2.00)
- earn the grade point average required in the minor if a minor has been declared (minimum of 2.00)
Be sure all appropriate paperwork has been submitted to the Registrar’s Office; see degree-related forms
- completing a major and/or option in the major: Add Academic Major; Change Academic Major; Declaration of Second Option;
- declaring the Academic Catalog followed for the major or minor: Change Catalog
- declaring a minor and/or a certificate: Add Academic Minor or Certificate
- dropping a minor and/or certificate: Remove Minor/Option
- substituting a different course for a course required in the student’s major or minor: Undergraduate Student Requests
- transferring a course to complete a degree requirement: Undergraduate Transfer Credit Request and have official transcript sent to the Registrar
- taking a standardized test, e.g., CLEP or DSST: have official score report sent to the Registrar
Be sure to take care of any financial obligations.
Graduation Honors
- Bachelor degree recipients who have maintained a cumulative average of 3.75 or above for work done at Plymouth are graduated summa cum laude.
- Bachelor and Associate degree recipients who have maintained a cumulative average of 3.50 through 3.74 for work done at Plymouth are graduated magna cum laude.
- Bachelor degree recipients who have maintained a cumulative average of 3.25 through 3.49 for work done at Plymouth are graduated cum laude.
- Degree candidates must have accumulated at least 30 credits at Plymouth to be eligible for graduation honors. Recognition is noted on the student’s diploma and transcript.
Please Note: There is a distinction between receiving your degree and participating in the Commencement Ceremony.
- The degree is awarded and the student receives a diploma only after the Registrar’s office has certified successful completion of all degree and institutional requirements.
- Participating in the Commencement Ceremony is the act of honoring and celebrating academic achievement. The Commencement Ceremony is held once a year in May.
Diplomas are not handed out on stage.
Plymouth State University awards degrees five times per year: January, May, June (graduate students only), August, and December. After all degree and institutional requirements have been satisfied, degrees will be awarded at the next available date. Conferral dates coincide with the last date of the term except June, which will be June 30th.
Students’ eligibility to participate (walk) in the Commencement ceremony is determined separately from the completion of their degree requirements. Students may participate in a Commencement ceremony only once for a specific degree. Their name will be printed in the Commencement program the same year they participate.
Students will be invited to participate in the the May Commencement Ceremony based on their eligibility. Invitations will start after the graduation application due date has passed and will be first-come, first-served by application receipt date, and only after the student’s degree audit has indicated that they qualify to walk in the ceremony.
Students may choose to participate in an upcoming Commencement ceremony, knowing that they have not completed all degree requirements, as long as they meet the participation criteria, agree to follow up on outstanding requirements and respond to communications in a timely manner. Students may choose, as an alternative, to wait to participate the year they complete their degree requirements.
Students must apply for the date in which they will have ALL their degree requirements completed. Do not apply for May unless all degree requirements will be completed by the end of the spring semester. The next available date is August.
Graduating students can visit plymouth.edu/commencement to access Commencement ceremony information.
Academic Honors: Green and white tassels will distinguish honors graduates. Seniors eligible for honors will be noted on the official bookstore list and given a green and white tassel when they are issued their cap and gown. Honors listed in the Commencement program and announced at the ceremony will be based on a student’s grade point average (GPA) at the end of January of the Commencement year. Honors indicated on the diploma and transcript will be based on a student’s complete academic program, after all grades have been reported. Bachelor’s degree candidates must have accumulated at least 30 credits at PSU to be eligible for honors. There are three levels of honors:
- Summa Cum Laude: GPA of 3.75–4.00;
- Magna Cum Laude: GPA of 3.50–3.74;
- Cum Laude: GPA of 3.25–3.49
Students who wish to re-enter Plymouth State University as matriculated (degree-seeking) students in a subsequent semester must reapply for admission through the Office of Admissions. Students who wish to be readmitted into the Nursing or Social Work majors or a teacher education program leading to teacher certification will need to follow program guidelines in the most recent academic catalog at the time of readmission. To qualify for readmission students must meet the grade point average requirement for the total credits attempted as indicated in the Academic Standing section of the University Academic Catalog.
Students who have withdrawn from the University or who have been withdrawn by the University, and who wish to complete their degree program without taking further classes at PSU, should contact a degree auditor to be reactivated for graduation. The auditor will send a Graduate Application, but students who will not be placed on the graduation file until the Graduation Application is received and reviewed by an auditor. Students reactivated for graduation only are not readmitted to take classes at the University. Those wishing to resume undergraduate coursework at PSU must apply for readmission through the Office of Admissions.
Degree auditors are located in the Registrar’s Office, Speare 115.
Phone: (603)535-2345
Fax: (603)535-2724
PSU-DegreeInfo@plymouth.edu
Students who are completing their final coursework at another college or university should be in contact with a degree auditor regarding their plans and should file an Application to Graduate by the deadline. The link to the online application is found in the menu on your Student Profile, accessed via Self-Service.
Students must have all degree requirements completed, including transfer credit approvals and receipt of official transcripts no more than 30 days after the anticipated degree award date.
- by February 28th if they have applied for a January diploma
- by June 30th if they have applied for a May diploma
- by July 30th if they have applied for a June diploma
- by September 30th if they have applied for an August diploma
- by January 30th if they have applied for a December diploma
Degree auditors are located in the Registrar’s Office, Speare 115.
Phone: (603)535-2345
Fax: (603)535-2724
PSU-DegreeInfo@plymouth.edu
Masters, CAGS, EdS, and Doctoral Candidates
Dear Potential Graduating Student,
You must file an Application to Graduate to request a final audit on your record and provide information for your diploma. Filing this application is the first step to receiving your degree. The link to the online graduation application is found in the menu on your Student Profile, accessed via Banner Self-Service.
Instructions for Completing Online Graduation Application
As soon as you know when you will be finished with all of your degree requirements, file a graduation application for your completion date. Upon receipt of the application, the auditors in the registrar’s office will review your records and let you know where you stand regarding graduation. It is imperative that you read and follow the direction in this email. You may need assistance from your advisor to complete any outstanding steps.
Forms are available for Masters, CAGS, EdS, EdD, certificate, and Teacher Certification/Specialist Credential candidates; see below section Graduation Application Dates & Deadlines.
As you complete your Graduation Application, please thoroughly your DegreeWorks record (via myPlymouth, Tools, Student Services) to ensure that you have:
- all of your required courses
- all of the required credits
- at least a 3.00 cumulative GPA
Please use the Degree dropdown to change to CERT if you have a certificate program.
If you have questions or need assistance, please contact us at psu-degreeinfo@plymouth.edu.
Thank you,
Registrar’s Office Auditing Team
Graduation Applications trigger an academic audit to make sure that students intending to graduate have completed all graduation requirements. A previous degree audit for readmitted students is no longer valid, and a new audit will be conducted when a student files a new Application to Graduate. The official degree audit of a student who does not graduate expires when that student’s catalog expires.
Before graduate students are awarded a degree/certificate by the university, their academic record must be audited for completion of program requirements. This official audit is performed by a degree auditor when the Graduation Application has been received. It is the auditor’s function to determine that students have satisfied all necessary academic requirements. Only a university degree auditor may certify the completion of an undergraduate degree/certificate.
It is extremely important for students to be tracking their progression to graduation throughout their years at PSU. It is expected that the final audit will be smooth and timely due to the student’s knowledge of where they stand – including any necessary student requests – prior to applying to graduate.
Degree auditors are located in the Registrar’s Office in Speare 115.
Phone: (603)535-2345
Fax: (603)535-2724
PSU-DegreeInfo@plymouth.edu
Enrolled students at Plymouth State University have access, through myPlymouth, to a computerized assessment of their progress toward completion of degree requirements. Degree Works pairs the courses a student has taken (or officially transferred) to the general education requirements and the specific requirements of their major. In-progress coursework is noted as such. Degree Works also notes the area of study, credits earned, and grade point average as well as all courses taken or transferred to Plymouth.
Degree Works is an important tool for students as they begin to plan their academic schedule. When students process an audit, they also have the option of choosing different majors and options for assessment against the courses they have taken. This feature is known as the “What-If” Analysis. It provides an opportunity to see the influence that any potential change(s) may have on a projected completion date.
(Requires PSU Username/Password)
Need help with Degree Works? Contact your academic advisor, the Academic and Career Advising Center, or the Registrar's Office.
Students who are nearing completion of their degree/certificate need to file an Application to Graduate. The link to the online graduation application is found in the menu on your Student Profile, accessed via Banner Self-Service.*
Plymouth State University graduates students and prints diplomas/certificates five times per year— January, May, June, August, and December. After all degree and institutional requirements have been satisfied, degrees will be awarded at the next available date. Conferral dates coincide with the last date of the term except June, which will be June 30th.
Graduation Applications due dates:
- December 2024 Degree Conferral Date – apply no later than September 30, 2024
- January 2025 Degree Conferral Date – apply no later than October 31, 2024
- May 2025 Degree Conferral Date – apply no later than December 1, 2024
- June 2025 Degree Conferral Date – apply no later than March 31, 2025
- August 2025 Degree Conferral Date – apply no later than May 31, 2025
Degree Completion
Students have the personal responsibility for making sure that by graduation time, they meet the requirements defined by the University and their program.
To complete degree requirements at Plymouth State University, students need to do the following:
- complete all degree requirements of their program
- complete the number of credits required in their chosen degree program
- a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher is required for degree conferral
- a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher is required for the certificate
Be sure all appropriate paperwork has been submitted to the Registrar’s Office; see degree-related forms
Be sure to take care of any financial obligations.
*Students seeking certification only will need to use this form:
Graduation Application – Graduate Teacher Certification Endorsement
Please Note: There is a distinction between receiving your degree and participating in the Commencement Ceremony.
- The degree is awarded and the student receives a diploma only after the Registrar’s office has certified successful completion of all degree and institutional requirements.
- Participating in the Commencement Ceremony is the act of honoring and celebrating academic achievement. The Commencement Ceremony is held once a year in May.
Diplomas are not handed out on stage.
Plymouth State University awards degrees five times per year: January, May, June (graduate students only), August, and December. After all degree and institutional requirements have been satisfied, degrees will be awarded at the next available date. Conferral dates coincide with the last date of the term except June, which will be June 30th.
Students’ eligibility to participate (walk) in the Commencement ceremony is determined separately from the completion of their degree requirements. Students may participate in a Commencement ceremony only once for a specific degree. Their name will be printed in the Commencement program the same year they participate.
Students will be invited to participate in the the May Commencement Ceremony based on their eligibility. Invitations will start after the graduation application due date (see above section "Graduation Dates and Deadlines") has passed and will be first-come, first-served by application receipt date, and only after the student’s degree audit has indicated that they qualify to walk in the ceremony.
Students may choose to participate in an upcoming Commencement ceremony, knowing that they have not completed all degree requirements, as long as they meet the participation criteria, agree to follow up on outstanding requirements and respond to communications in a timely manner. Students may choose, as an alternative, to wait to participate the year they complete their degree requirements.
Candidates pursuing the EdD must have defended their dissertation by April 1st of the ceremony year to be eligible for hooding at the commencement ceremony. All revisions must be complete and the final dissertation must be on file by the end of the spring semester (see calendar for specific dates).
Graduating students can visit plymouth.edu/commencement to access Commencement ceremony information.
Withdrawn students who wish to re-enter Plymouth State University as matriculated (degree-seeking) students to finish a course requirement at PSU must reapply for admission through the Office of Admissions. To qualify for readmission, students must be in good Academic Standing as indicated in the University Academic Catalog.
Withdrawn students who wish to complete their degree program without taking further classes at PSU, should contact a degree auditor to be reactivated for graduation as well as file a degree application. Students reactivated for graduation only are not readmitted to take classes at the University.
Degree auditors are located in the Registrar’s Office in Speare 115.
Phone: (603)535-2345
Fax: (603)535-2724
PSU-DegreeInfo@plymouth.edu
Students who are completing their final coursework at another college or university should be in contact with a degree auditor regarding their plans and should file an Application to Graduate by the deadline (see above section "Graduation Application Dates & Deadlines"). The link to the online application is found in the menu on your Student Profile, accessed via Self-Service.
Students must have all degree requirements completed, including transfer credit approvals and receipt of official transcripts no more than 30 days after the anticipated degree award date.
- by February 28th if they have applied for a January diploma
- by June 30th if they have applied for a May diploma
- by July 30th if they have applied for a June diploma
- by September 30th if they have applied for an August diploma
- by January 30th if they have applied for a December diploma
Degree auditors are located in the Registrar’s Office in Speare 115.
Phone: (603) 535-2345
Fax: (603) 535-2724
PSU-DegreeInfo@plymouth.edu
